William Arthur Colella of Chelmsford, MA and formerly of Manchester by the Sea, MA

William Arthur Colella, 86, of Chelmsford MA, died surrounded by loved ones at his home on Saturday, December 9, 2017. He is predeceased by his wife Gail (Shawcross) Colella whom he was wed for 59 years.

Born in Boston, MA, he was the son of the late Albert and Jennie (Argenzio) Colella and the brother of the late George V. Colella.

He graduated from Revere High School with the class of 1949 as the President of the senior class. He spent a Post graduate year at The Tilton School, Tilton NH. At Tilton he played varsity hockey, baseball, and football. He was recognized by Tilton with the John F. Thompson Award that commended his honest and sincere character. He was a 1990 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee at the Tilton School. He then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in History degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1954. At the University of New Hampshire, Bill was a standout on the UNH football and baseball teams.

He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer Basic and 2nd Lt. Army Ranger at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1955 before being honorably discharged due to an injury. During his stint in the Army, he played on the Fort Ord (California) baseball team.

Bill went on to obtain the CAGS equivalency (certificate of advanced study) from Boston University and graduated from Suffolk University with a graduate Degree in Education in 1957.

Bill was the Assistant football Coach and Head Baseball Coach at Revere High School as well as teaching Social Studies from 1957-1974. He moved on to teach World and American History and Urban Studies and coach Varsity Baseball at Winchester High School. He was able to incorporate his love of teaching and sports at Winchester High School as the Athletic Director from 1975-1994.

He was awarded the Middlesex League Athletic Director’s Man of the Year Award in 1982.

Upon his retirement in 1994, William became a proud member of the Wardroom Club in Boston with nominated membership for men and women who have served this nation with honor and an active member of the Amaral Bailey Post 113 in Manchester by the Sea, MA.

Bill is survived by his son, William “Biff” and his wife, Pamela of Lakeland, FL; daughter Lee Ann and her husband Robert Alden of Westford MA, grandchildren, Alexander Dinola, Joseph Alden and William Alden; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and aunts.

Bill’s Community Service included being the Founder of the Revere Football Parent’s Club, Board of Directors, Manchester Youth Center, Manchester Boosters, and the Manchester Council on Aging.

Bill loved his family, his adopted hometown of Manchester by the Sea, his dogs Misty and Bailey, “swinging the beach,” in his bright yellow VW bug at Singing Beach, being part of the July 4th Parade in Manchester by the Sea, Christmas Eve in Revere with the familia, and anything to do with sports. We will certainly miss him, he is now with his wife Gail and in peace.

Our family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale of North Chelmsford, Joanne Fontaine of Pro-Elder Care, Alex Mukiibi of Beacon Hospice, Terry O’Neill, Donna Graves and the staff of Home Instead Senior Care for their compassionate and loving care of Bill.

Visitation

December 15, 2017

10AM- 11AM

Dolan Funeral Home

Funeral

December 15, 2017

11Am

Dolan Funeral Home

Though I am not sure if you know me, I was deeply saddened to read of your father’s passing in the Manchestr Cricket. I worked at the Singing Beach Bathhouse during the summer time in the 1990s. I was a town employee working summers as I attended college with plans to become a teacher. I spent many hours talking with your dad over the years. I was accepted to UNH but did not attend – this shocked him -and I was not an athlete. Despite these “two strikes against me” I still got to know him well. I remember him spinning the Singing Beach circle in his yellow VW bug with Bailey as his co-pilot. He would bring his Singing Beach towel and one of a kind swivel chair and set it in the “hot sand” to left on the beach and work on his tan. He was a special man with so many accomplishments. I feel privileged to have known him.

My sincere condolences to you and your families.
Bill was a fellow Middlesex League A.D. who sat next to me at league meetings,
a gentleman, and a person who worked hard to make Winchester Athletics a positive
experience for the students involved.I had great respect for Bill and miss him.

Biff and family,
Reading through your Dad’s obituary, it’s hard not to be astonished at how such an accomplished man carried such a humble demeanor and was so very reachable and caring to those with whom he came in contact. He had a great zest for life and the best tan I’ve ever seen. I, like so many, will miss him greatly.
Love Brian

I sat next to Bill in the Social Studies work area for over twenty years in Winchester. I found him to be a dedicated and highly professional educator who was the essence of responsibility. I admired his integrity and his concise, plain, speech. My sincere condolences, prayers and thoughts are with his family.

Lee Ann and Biff,
Our boys and us will always have a place in our hearts for your dad and mom. They were both a big part of our lives on Rockwood Heights.
Bill could always be counted on to show an interest in the boys and was an excellent role model for them. We all miss him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Love,
Anne and Terry Cowman

Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Your dad certainly left a legacy in all the students he coached and taught over the years as well as in you, your sister and his his grandchildren. Our deepest sympathy.
Love, Suda and Ken